Automatic dating device for printmaking machines



Oct. 27, 1959 N. L. COBB AUTOMATIC DATING DEVICE FOR PRINT-MAKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 w95 whs R INVFJVTOR. NEAL L cosa Filed Oct. 19, 1954 I n mm n. n

ATTORNEY.

N. L. COBB Oct. 27, 1959 AUTOMATIC DATING DEVICE FOR PRINT-MAKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1954 INVENTOR. NEAL L 603B ATTORNEY i oct. 27,` 1.1959 N. l.. CQBB 2,909,997

INVEN TOR. NEAL L. 608B United States Patent O AUTOMATIC DATING DEVICE FOR PRINT- MAKING MACHINES Neal L. Cobb, Springfield,

olute Corporation, Rochester, N.Y., New York Vt., assignor to Paragon-Reva corporation of The present invention relates to machines for making reproductions, and especially to machines for making blueprints, white prints and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to means for dating such prints during processing.

It is usually desirable to date blue prints, white prints, and the like to indicate when they were made. Heretofore, the machine operator has had to date prints individually by hand, after they have been made, by applying a dating stamp manually to the back of each print. This takes time; and it not infrequently occurs that the operator fails to date some of the prints.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device for automatically dating blueprints and the like in a machine for making the prints.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic dating device of thecharacter described which is adapted to be driven in time with the sheet feeding mechanism of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic dating device of the character described which will automatically operate to date the sheet, from which the prints are to be made, at regular intervals, as the sensitized sheet is fed into the print-making machine, thereby insuring proper dating' of all prints.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic dating device of the character described which will impress the date periodically on the back of the sensi- .tized paper in such a manner that there is no danger of breaking the paper or of the date showing through to `the front of the paper.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic dating device of the character described which will not interfere with the print-making operation of the machine.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

In they drawings:

Fig. r1 is a plan view of a dating device constructed according to one embodiment of this invention with its ysafety guard removed and showing a portion of the blueprint or other print-making machine in which it is mounted;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the dating device and its guard, showing the cooperating rollers of the dating device and the drive thereto;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing how the blocks of type bearing a date may be mounted in the lower roller of the dating device;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the type bars and its support;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the gearingv which connects the rollers of the dating device, and means for locking the rollers against rotation;

Fig. 7 is a section taken generally on line 7-7 of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the belt tightening mechanism of the drive to the dating device and the means for releasing the same; and

Figs. 8, 9, l() and ll are sections through the rollers of the dating device, showing more or less -diagrammatically four successive positions of these rollers and how they cooperate to affix a date to a sheet.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a conventional print-making machine having a series of upper, narrow, parallel, endless feed belts 20 and a cooperating series of lower, narrow, parallel, endless feed belts 21. The forward rollers for the two sets of belts are shown at 24 and 25, respectively, (Fig. 5). The tracings, or other originals, which are to be reproduced, and thev sensitized paper, on which the reproductions are to be made, are fed over a feeding leaf into the machine between the adjacent reaches of belts 20 and 2.1.

it is usual to mount a roll of sensitized paper at the front of the machine beneath the feeding leaf, and to feed the paper from this roll over the feeding leaf. As the sensitized paper passes over the feeding leaf, the operator places on it the tracings, or other material, which are to be reproduced, so that the tracing and paper are carried between the upper and lower belts 20 and 21 and into the machine for an exposure. Thereafter, the tracings and the exposed and developed paper are separated and discharged into separate receptacles. Heretofore, the operator has had to manually stamp the developed paper to date it.

The automatic dating device of this invention is mounted on the feeding leaf of `the machine, so that the sensitized paperrmust pass through it before it enters the machine; and this dating device is actuated to automatically, periodically imprint the date on the back of the paper as it is fed into the machine, thereby to insure automatically that each print made in the machine will be dated.

- The dating device comprises a pair of parallel, horizontal rollers 30 and 32 mounted one above the other on the feeding leaf 34 of the machine. The rollers 30 and 32 are journaled at opposite ends by means lof anti-friction bearings 35 and 36 in axially-spaced support brackets 37 and 38 which are rigidly fastened to the feeding leaf 34 by bolts 39. The rollers 30 and 32 are geared to one another, to rotate together simultaneously in opposite directions, by meshing spur gears 40 and 42. These gears are fixed to the two rollers, respectively. Upper roller 30 has a laterally projecting portion of reduced diameter at its right hand end which extends beyond right hand bearing 35. To this there is fastened a pulley 43 which is adapted to be driven by belt 44 from drive roller 24 of the upper series of belts. Thus motion may be transmitted to the two rollers 30 and 32. The lower roller 32 is mounted within a transverse slot 45 `(Fig. 5)v in the feeding plate 34. Mounted above this slot to extend toward the roller 32 from the Vfront and back, respectively, are two smooth metal plates 47 and 48 over which the sensitized paper slides as it is fed into the machine. Plate 47 has its undersurface beveled at its left hand end to follow the contour of roller 32; and plate 48 has its right hand end downturned to prevent the sensitized paper from getting between it and this roller.

Thelower roller 32 carries the type for dating the prints. In the embodiment show there are three sets of dating type, all identical. This is to insure properly dating all prints even though they be narrower than the width of paper which the machine will take. The type blocks 50, which may be made of rubber, are arranged in sets of three, the three different blocks of each set bearing,

crank lever 82.

respectively, the month, day and year date. Each set of type blocks is cemented to a bar 52. Each bar 52 is removably mounted in a U-shaped strap 57, which in turn is mounted in a U-shaped strap 54. The legs of straps 57 and 54 are disposed at right angles to each other. Bar 52 and straps 57 and 54 are secured together by screws 53. Strap 54, in turn, is removably secured by means of screws 55 in an elongate recess or slot 56 in the roller 32. ln the embodiment of the invention i-llustrated there are three such recesses or slots 56, one for each set of type.

As shown in Fig. 3, type blocks 50 and the straps 54 are below the peripheral surface of roller 32, with only the raised type 59 of the type-blocks projecting above that surface. The amount of projection is indicated by distance A in Fig. 8.

Upper roller 30 is partially covered by a guard member 58 (Figs. 2 and 5) whics is supported at its ends by vbrackets 37 and 38.

The upper roller i30 :has three elongate slots 60 which register with the type blocks 50 as the rollers 30 and 32 rotate together. The tracings or other matter to be reproduced and the sensitized paper, here together denoted at P, are fed between the rollers 30 and 32 into the machine with the sensitized paper underneath, that is, next to lower roll 32. As the rollers revolve, the type blocks 50 come into registry, once in each revolution, with the slots 60 of upper roller 30, and, when they come into register, the type imprints the date on the back (under) side of the sensitized sheet. Because the printing takes place, not when the type is in -registry with a solid portion of roller 30, but when the type is in registry with a recess or opening `60 in roller 30, the paper will yield and the impression will be a soft impression not heavy enough to show through on the exposed and developed print,

The upper surface of the raised type S9 on blocks 40 is curved, as clearly shown in Figs. 8-11. Thus no sharp edges contact the underside of the sensitized paper when the date is applied to the paper. The type is positioned, also, to be higher than the level of feeding leaf 34, and of the metal plates `47 and 48 inset therein. Hence, it raises the paper when it contacts it. When slots 40 and 60 start to come into register, one edge of type 59 engages the sensitized paper and raises it slightly (Fig. 8). As the rollers rotate further Vthe area of engagement f the type 59 with the sensitized paper increases, as indicated by enlarging angle .B (Figs. 8 to 10) until the type bars 40 and slots l60 are both radial of the axes of the two rollers 30 and 32. Then ,printing of the date takes place. This construction provides rm contact between the type 57 and the underside of the sensitized paper. However, it also protects the paper from being Vbroken by the type in the act of printing.

The type is inked on each revolution of roller 32 by contact with .an ink roller 70 (Fig. 8). This ink roller is secured to a shaft 71 that is journaled in the machine. This Vroller may be inked manually periodically or in any other suitable manner. It is driven intermittently by the frictional engagement of the type with it `on .each

Arevolution of roller 32. A wiper V72 .(Fig. 5.) thatissecured to the underside of feed plate.34 yby screws 73 ,removes excess ink from the ink roller.

Each day the machine is in use, the type will have t0 be changed to provide the proper date. Changing of the type is, however, a matter of seconds. The operator has merely to remove screws 53, remove the .type bar, substltute a -type bar of the proper date therefor, and fasten the new type bar in place withthe screws 53.

Belt-44 is maintained in tight driving contact with pulley 43 by an idler 80 which is `carried-on arm 81 of a bell- This lever is pivoted on a stud (not shown) which is secured in the frame ofthe machine. A knurled nut 83 holds the'bell erank'on the stud. Idler 80 is constantly pressed toward engagement with b61li-44 i by a coil spring 84 which is mounted around a rod 8S, and which is interposed between a washer `86 and a pair of nuts A87 that thread 0n rod 85. One of these nuts serves to adjust the tension of the spring; and the other serves as a lock-nut. Rod is slidable through a hole 89 in feeding leaf 34 and engages at its upper end in a recess 88 in one arm of the bellcrank.

A hooked rod y90, which may be operated by a foottreadle (not shown), serves to rock bell-crank 82 about its pivot and disengage the idler 80 from belt 44 to stop the drive to roller 32 when it is desired to discontinue dating the sensitized paper. A handle 92 on the free end of the bell crank may also be used for this purpose. It may be engaged with teeth 93 of a rack type ratchet detent 94 to lock it in either engaged or disengaged position.

Secured by a pin 98 to the arm 81 of the bell-crank lever 82 is a strap 99, which may be made of a thin band of metal such as shim stock. The two ends of this strap are held together by afscrew and nuts, denoted as a whole at '100. This band loops over pin 98 at one end and over the reduced diameter portion 102 of roller 30 at its other end. Thus, 'when idler 80 is lifted off belt 44, roller 30 will be simultaneously lifted away from roller 32. This will allow the print and paper to be moved freely during the periodwhen the rolls 30 and 32 are stationary by reason of not being driven by belt 44. Slippage between band 99 and the reduced diameter portion |102 of roller 30, during feed movement causes no appreciable wear on portion 102 if -properly lubricated.

To lock the rollers 30 and 32 against rotation when changing type, a lock bar 95 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) is provided. This bar is pivoted Vby means of pin 96 in one of the brackets 37 and is adapted to be engaged in registering diametral slots 97 Vin the lleft hand ends of the roller shafts to `elect locking of the rollers. The 'bar is shown in disengaged, unlocked postion in Figs. l and 2.

In many print-making machines, a `tension release is provided to permit the operator to release the driving tension on roller 24 if the tracing, or other original which is to be reproduced, is not started into the macine eX- actly straight. This permits the operator to withdraw the original and restart it properly again. 'With the device of the present invention, depression of rod by the foot treadle releases .the driving tension on printing roller 32 simultaneously with Vrelease .of the driving tension on the .feed belts 20 and ,21 ,so that the dating mechanism `will not drift relative to the paper and tracing feed mechamsm.

With A.the .dating device just described manual dating of prints, .after they are .removed from the machine, has been eliminated. The deviceis driven by and in time with the drive of the machine.

While the invention has been 4described in connection with the dating of printsit may'be used also for applying other indicia to prints.

While the invention has been described, therefore, in connection with a specc embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is capable of further modification, and thus applicationis intended to vcover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of theappended claims.

'Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a machine for making blueprints and the like,

,a feeding leaf lover which sheet Imaterial is fed 'for proc- `same direction to -feed Vsaidsheet material from saidfeed- `ing .leaf v 01.1.1'11112 .saidmachineforprocessing anda printing device mounted in said feeding leaf intermediate the front and rear ends of said leaf for applying data to the underside of said sheet material, said printing device comprising a pair of slightly spaced rollers rotatably mounted one above the other on said feeding leaf and between which said sheet material passes as it is fed to and by said feed belts, the upper roller having a recess formed in its periphery, said recess extending parallel to the axes of the rollers, printing means affixed to the lower roller of said pair of rollers and adapted to extend into said recess by cooperation with the recess of the other roller to print on said sheet material with each revolution of said pair of rollers, and means for rotating said pair of rollers in time with said belts.

2. In a machine for making blueprints and the like, a feeding leaf over which sheet material is fed for processing, an upper endless feed belt and a lower endless feed belt disposed adjacent said feeding leaf to receive between them sheet material fed over said feeding leaf, means for driving said feed belts simultaneously in the same direction to feed said sheet material from said feeding leaf on into said machine for processing, and a printing device mounted on said feeding leaf intermediate the front and rear ends of said leaf for applying data to the underside of said sheet material as it passes over said feeding leaf, said printing device comprising an upper horizontal dating roller and a lower horizontal dating roller mounted one above the other on said feeding leaf to rotate together on parallel axes and between which said sheet material passes, means for rotating said rollers together, said upper roller having a first elongated peripheral recess therein extending parallel to the axes of said rollers, and said lower roller having a second peripheral recess, said second recess having removable type therein adapted to extend into and to register with said first recess on each revolution of said rollers to apply a date to said sheet material.

`3. In a machine for making blueprints and the like, a feeding leaf over which sheet material is fed for processing, an upper endless feed belt and a lower endless feed belt disposed adjacent said feeding leaf to receive between them sheet material fed over said feedingV leaf, means for driving said belts simultaneously in the same direction to feed said sheet material from said feeding leaf on into said machine for processing, and a printing device mounted in said feeding leaf for applying data to the underside of said sheet material, said printing device comprising a pair of rollers rotatably mounted one above the other on said feeding leaf and between which said sheet material passes as it is fed to and by said belts, printing means affixed to the lower roller of said pair of rollers and adapted by cooperation with the other roller to print on said sheet material with each revolution of said pair of rollers, means operatively connecting said pair of rollers to said belts to drive said rollers in time with said belts, means for disconnecting the last-named means, and means for simultaneously lifting the upper roller away from said lower roller.

4. In a machine for making blueprints and the like, a feeding leaf over which sheet material is fed for processing, an upper endless feed belt and a lower endless feed belt disposed adjacent said feeding leaf to receive between them sheet material fed over said feeding leaf, means for driving said belts simultaneously in the same direction to feed said sheet material from said feeding leaf on into said machine, and a printing device mounted in said feeding leaf for applying data to the underside of said sheet material, said printing device comprising a pair of rollers rotatably mounted one above the other on said feeding leaf and between which said sheet material passes as it is fed to any by said belts, printing means affixed to the lower roller of said pair of rollers and adapted by cooperation with the other roller to print on said sheet material with each revolution of said pair of rollers, means operatively connecting said pair of rollers to said belts to drive said rollers in time with said belts comprising a belt, a pair of pulleys, and an idler engaging the last-named belt, and means for lifting said idler out of engagement with said last-named belt to disconnect the drive to said rollers, and means for simultaneously lifting the upper roller away from said lower roller.

5. In a machine for making blueprints and the like, a feeding leaf having a plane surface over which sensitized sheet material moves as it is fed into the machine, and a printing device mounted in said feeding leaf for applying a date to the underside of said sheet material, said printing device comprising a pair of slightly spaced rollers mounted to rotate on parallel axes which extend transversely of said leaf, said rollers being disposed at opposite sides of the plane of said feeding leaf surface intermediate the front and rear ends of said feeding leaf, one of said rollers being mounted in a recess in said feeding leaf which extends transversely of the leaf, and the other roller being mounted on said leaf above the first-named roller to cooperate therewith, one of said rollers having type mounted on its periphery to project outwardly beyond said periphery for engagement with said sensitized paper, the other roller having a recess, and means for driving said rollers in time with one another to cause said type and recess to register once in each revolution of said rollers.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said type has a substantially convex surface for engaging the sheet material.

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